Baron v. L.P. Evans Motors WPB, Inc.
After an arbitrator ruled for the dealership on a lease dispute but declined to decide fees because the dealership refused to stipulate to his jurisdiction, the trial court confirmed the award and separately awarded the dealership $21,000 in fees and costs incurred in the arbitration. The Third DCA reversed, holding that the parties' broad arbitration provisions ('arising out of or relates to' / 'arising from') covered the contractual fee claim, so the trial court had no authority to adjudicate it.
Key facts
- Purchaser Baron leased a vehicle from dealership L.P. Evans Motors WPB, Inc. under a contract containing broad arbitration provisions covering all claims 'arising out of or relating to' the lease agreement.
- An arbitrator ruled in favor of the dealership on the lease dispute but declined to award fees because the dealership refused to stipulate to the arbitrator's jurisdiction over fees.
- +2 more key facts with a free trial
Why it matters
This opinion resolves a recurring post-arbitration trap: whether fee claims incurred in arbitration must be reserved for the trial court under pre-2013 law. The Third DCA holds that the 2013 amendment to section… — full analysis with a trial
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